|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Nov 14th, 2020 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
3D Artist
|
Plymouth, MI
|
|
Mediocre Game Company
|
|
If you need to be in Michigan and work at a game company Stardock exists.
|
Very frustrating management. The games themselves are not enjoyable to work on. No focus on quality.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Jul 16th, 2020 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
|
|
|
Caring and Flexible Work Environment
|
|
Co-workers are friends.
The people who work here become really good friends while at work AND outside of work. Employees are kind, helpful and work together as a team. You won't the typical "office competition" here, employees are there for each other.
Family friendly.
Stardock has always been very understanding when it comes to family/personal matters. They allow employees to WFH if needed, leave early or come in late for doctor appointments, all without judgement.
Fun company events.
We like to celebrate holidays like "Star Wars Day", "Talk like a Pirate Day", or host chili cook-offs in the fall. The employees really get into the spirit!
Privately owned.
The owner is involved in every day projects throughout the company and is available to speak to personally at any time. This allows employees to feel comfortable approaching him directly with concerns or ideas.
|
You wear many hats.
You may be hired in do to one thing, but will find yourself completing several other types of tasks that would be likely done by someone else at a different company. This can be challenging at first, but in the end, you become a very versatile/skilled employee, and highly desirable anywhere else.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
20.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Jun 19th, 2020 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
|
|
|
Fun atmosphere with great opportunities
|
|
1. Great and fun people to work with. I have worked a few jobs in the past where I actively avoided certain people or projects were painful due to these people. At Stardock I can honestly say I get along great with everybody and have a good time while doing it.
2. Perks great and small. Little things like a massive selection of free flavored coffees and treats to snack on, to paid week long time off for July 4th and Christmas, on top of your normal vacation time and all other paid holidays - also one of my favorite, movie days!
3. The Work. Being able to work on the newest and coolest tech is a dream come true, not to mention the projects are exciting and never stale. I love having diverse things to work on and not having the same thing day in day out.
4. Flexibility. For the most part your start times fit to your schedule, I like being able to start my day when it best fits my schedule. Some others like getting a later start and thats ok as well. Really a bonus to be able to work in the work/life balance an individual needs. I personally really appreciate that.
5. Ability to grow and pursue what you like. I have myself have and have seen numerous times, people switch jobs to something more of their skillset and liking, which is very different from what they were hired in at because they were interested in perusing a different path and were given the opportunity. Passion and drive is well rewarded at Stardock and your opinion is always heard.
|
Occasional late night. If I had to come up with a negative, it would be the occasional and in complete fairness - the increasingly rare late night, to get a project done. But even if this does happen its for a short period, and usually rewarded.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
1.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Jan 24th, 2019 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
Lead Designer
|
Timonium, MD
|
|
Great place to work
|
|
CEO cares about employees.
Friendly atmosphere
|
Located in the state of Michigan
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
2.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Nov 12th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
Anonymous
|
Plymouth, MI
|
|
Do you like slow roller coasters
|
|
Benefits were good for awhile. Parties, personal trainers, healthy opportunities daily, healthy lunches to purchase and freshly made.
Time off was average, but winter and summer week long breaks were excellent.
Retirement Matching %
Dog friendly.
Free coffee/tea/pop
|
Most of the benefits (Healthy bits) in the Pro box had ended after a year or so into my employment.
Moral meetings were not moral producing, but rather insulting and full of bologna.
Quality of management waned through the years and became non-existent eventually.
Skeleton crew Support and QA teams. The company isn’t big enough to require these as full teams.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
The meetings that were held in the lavish cafe that's rarely used outside of lunch or morning coffee, were mostly informative, though the Kool-Aid didn't really get slurped up as hoped. It's painfully obvious when you attempt to get a rah rah session going to increase moral. It's insulting when you think that's going to bring our spirits up or the outlook we have on the companies future.
Lay offs suck. Being put on furlough w/o pay for a month and then being laid off sucks even more. Lay people off good and solid without believing you'll be able to rehire them in a month. Then they will get support systems in place for income and job hunts if you're unable to rehire them. Likely, you won't figure out your balance sheets in a month, so do your potential lay off a favor and cut the cord. Myself and others figured that out on day one, but a note for future employees.
Given the role of Technical Support, more work from home annually should be allowed or even forced if the employee in such a position has the technical computer availability. A previous manager who was let go thought this was a good idea and I agreed as it helps the work/life balance.
I can't speak for the game dev side of things as I didn't work on it. My light touch with it was working in QA for a few months at the release of of a few games. The impression I had was just find the bugs and report them and then keep comments to yourself. Don't attempt to offer thoughts on it. The CEO has a vision and it won't be swayed no matter what, as is their right, as is their demise.
Career Opp: Stardock is a small company, there weren't many opportunities to move up. I wouldn't expect to stay long enough to move up unless somebody left.
Compensation & Benefits: Compensation was alright for the position. Benefits, retirement was matched to a limit, time off was average, coffee/water/pop provided, on-site minimal gym and shower (Never used?), Dog friendly.
Work/Life Balance: For my positions, it was a good balance. My manager would occasionally allow leaving early for family events, or if the weather was bad as my commute was long. This was always something I appreciated and think businesses should look at more.
Senior Management: Older reviews of Stardock will mention outside corporate managers that were brought in. I was employed at the very, very end of that. The manager of my manager was good at what they did and what they brought to the table was exceptional. The current senior management, CEO and below, well, there are issues. The CEO is better off doing games work than running the company. Reason is, he has blind spots, like anybody, and doesn't have the time or know how to handle those blind spots. He shouldn't be doing management work, there are more qualified people available, but they were often stifled from doing the right thing because he would interject. A manager under him had started to let things go and should have given over to the rest of the management team before it had gotten to the point it did. Blind spots. At the end of the day, it's the CEO's company, and the buck stops there. If a house is on fire however, don't sit on a chair and say this is fine.
Culture & Values: For the most part, the culture is games and gaming, nerdy stuff, pop culture, and all that it entails. Stardock was a pretty friendly place during my time.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Oct 7th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
|
|
|
Not recommended
|
|
Good people in a lot of departments, work life balance.
|
Senior management-lack of leadership. Tone deaf.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
6.0
|
1.0
|
4.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Aug 29th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
|
|
|
Stardock
|
|
*A professional, yet casual corporate work environment where you get direct interaction with the CEO and have access to the Executive Team on a daily basis (True Open Door Policy).
*Generous PTO policy and additional paid time off, such as week of July 4th and the week between Christmas and New Years.
*There is a lot of work to be done so staying busy is awesome and there's often the opportunity to learn something new while performing the work, which is very engaging.
*Employee events such as monthly birthday celebrations, Treat Tuesday, game nights, holiday celebrations, cookoffs, etc. keep the work hard, play hard philosophy alive and well.
*Great benefit options that include 4% match to 401k and both a PPO/HMO option that includes employer funding to the Health Savings Account every pay period, so essentially the deductible is covered.
*Having dogs at the office is nice and you can bring your dog as well which is a great option to have.
*The people (Stardockians) are one of a kind awesome. Stardock truly employs some hardworking, kind, honest and extremely intelligent talent.
*Nice mix of new employees and employees who have been at the company for a long time.
|
*Sales seem to be unpredictable in the industry, therefore that can create added stress when it's unknown how certain products or games will perform in the market. This is the nature of the beast from an industry perspective, so although it's a con I'm not sure how it's avoided.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
0.0
|
NEUTRAL
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
2.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Apr 8th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
|
|
|
A small, risky game studio with some passionate developers
|
|
Small teams; can influence the direction of game projects
|
Company's game business is unsteady and unpredictable; business plans for project scoping and hiring change often
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
0.0
|
NEUTRAL
|
0.0
|
NO_OPINION
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
I always enjoyed Brad's enthusiasm!
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Mar 21st, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
|
Plymouth, MI
|
|
Poorly run, sometimes toxic environment, always behind
|
|
Generally fun projects to work on, technically challenging
Free coffee, tea, soft drinks.
Engaging, competent co-workers
|
Frequent (but usually short) crunch periods
Frequent layoffs or unpaid “furloughs”
Low compensation
No annual reviews (nor annual pay raises)
They are actively cutting day-day costs, so heath care got worse while I was there
CEO is either totally uninvolved or micromanaging projects – really no middle ground
Forced use of ill-supported custom engine that's incredibly difficult to customize or get assets into correctly
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
8.0
|
2.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
You need to behave like a real company, and not just the playtoy of the CEO. Yes it's his company, but he really has no place in trying to manage people or project.
The rest of sr. management is either incompetent or disinterested in disagreeing with the CEO, who's decisions are almost never contested even if they make no sense. The company literally exists because the CEO wants a game company to make “his” games. A bad decision might mean layoffs for employees (has happed more than once). Family member and friends have positions of power so annoying one of them will have repercussions.
The Glassdoor reviews from 2010-2015 are still true today.
There is little cohesion on projects, and people are literally dropped onto a project with no warning to work on a feature. Little sense of ownership or continuity. They think this is being nimble and is called “the Stardock Way”, but it means you can get drafted at any moment to work on a feature de jure. Features are frequently described verbally and you will have to continually iterate because there is no way to know you are done till it actually gets approved. Frequently a feature will never pan out and all that work will be abandoned. Too bad you wasted a week or two.
They did attempt to address some issues by bringing in some experienced middle management. All but one was gone after about a year. CEO did not have faith in them (and pointed that out to employees) and that makes working there tough since he would frequently undermine their desires. I have literally seen him push people out of a chair so he could do things “right”.
For the last few years Stardock used a custom engine with almost no tools and literally no documentation. Artists must have VStudio installed and recompile to get almost any artwork into the engine – pretty much everyone hates working with it because no effort has been made to make it usable in a production environment. Thus work proceeds at a crawl and anyone coming from a Unity or Unreal studio will soon be banging their head against a wall in frustration. Things that take hours in Unity take weeks at Stardock. The technical debt is almost never corrected but a band aid is applied if something needs fixing because there no immediate ROI to taking the time to correctly fixing issues.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|
|
private:stardock
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=269449
|
Oct 14th, 2017 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Stardock Systems
|
|
Plymouth, MI
|
|
Flexible and engaging
|
|
A great place to for developers who like to broaden their skill set. Great company culture. Fun atmosphere.
|
Not a place to go if you want to wait to be told what to do. Employees are given objectives and expected to solve them with minimal hand holding.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
|
269449
|
Open
|
More mentoring for younger staff. Don't move engineers between projects if possible.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Apr 23rd, 2021 04:23PM
|
Stardock
|
|
|